Moon Dust to Conductors: The New Frontier in Lunar Electronics

The Danish Technological Institute has spearheaded a project showcasing the feasibility of transforming lunar regolith into not only a source of oxygen but also conductive materials suitable for electronics manufacture directly on the Moon. This endeavor involves creating inks for printed electronics and powders for additive manufacturing from local lunar resources.

The project is grounded in technology that extracts oxygen from regolith via molten salt electrolysis, developed by the UK company Metalysis. Lunar regolith contains about 40–45% oxygen by mass, bound in oxides. During the electrolysis process, calcium chloride is heated to 800–1000 °C, and electrical current liberates oxygen. Simulated lunar soil is used for experiments, prepared by Metalysis in collaboration with the UK Space Agency and ESA since 2019.

After oxygen removal, a mixture of metallic alloys remains, possessing electrical conductivity. Unlike previous approaches, this new project focuses not on using this residue as a structural material but on processing it into forms suitable for electronic component production. Recently, the project’s timeline has been updated to include additional trials with newer lunar soil simulants, potentially accelerating practical applications as early as 2027.

Within the project framework, the team plans to fabricate conductive inks and powders from processed regolith and showcase their application in printed electronics and additive technologies. According to 3D printing specialist Andreas Weihe Larsen, one of the goals is to demonstrate the ability to produce conductive elements, including antennas, directly on the Moon’s surface.

The developers view this technology as a foundation for local repair of electronics, robotic systems, and electrical networks in living modules of future lunar settlements. Economically, developing these processes could greatly reduce the cost of transporting materials from Earth, potentially saving significant resources for lunar missions and paving the way for sustainable human presence on the Moon.